Information and Resources for Legislative Staff
Who We Are
The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) disrupts systems to make them work better – more effective, efficient, agile, and accountable – for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. SCDD’s work is grounded in the voices and experiences of the community, the Council’s State Plan, and core values including independence, inclusion, self-determination, advocacy, and quality of life.
Our Impact: By the numbers
Californians Impacted
Professionals Trained
People Trained
Partner Agencies
People Advised 1:1 on Navigating Systems
Languages (Training & Resources)
Statewide Policy and Legislation
Statewide Survey Data
Learn about the priorities of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), their family members, and community stakeholders when SCDD asked, “What do you want us working on for you over the next 5 years.” This is the largest response to a voluntary survey and reflects a direct expression of the I/DD community’s needs, barriers, and desired resources.
https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2022/09/Statewide.Survey.Data_.Analysis.FINAL_.pdf
There Should Be A Law Contest
SCDD’s annual There Should Be a Law contest invites the public to share ideas for improving laws, policies, and programs that affect Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Explore the annual contest reports and the six-year summary below.
Six-Year Summary Report (2021 – 2026)
This report looks back on six years of SCDD’s There Should Be a Law contest. It highlights the barriers that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families raised year after year, along with the solutions they proposed to address them.
Annual There Should Be A Law Contest Reports
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2026
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2025
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2024
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2023
There Should Be A Law Contest Report 2022
Guiding Budget Principles
SCDD has developed guiding principles to support the California State Administration and Legislature when making decisions related to the budget.
https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2026/05/July-2025-SCDD-Budget-Principles.pdf
Policy Platform
SCDD has adopted a policy platform to make clear our position on topics in order to advance the right of individuals with I/DD and their families.
https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2026/07/Policy-Platform.2027-2031.pdf
Inclusive Communications
On July 21, 2026, SCDD adopted a policy concerning inclusive communications, supporting access to individualized communication systems and supports that reflect each person’s needs, preferences, and chosen ways of communicating.
https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2026/07/Policy-on-Inclusive-Communications-2026-07-24.pdf
Council Projects
5-Year State Plan (2027-2031)
A federally mandated and funded, community-based State Plan informs all of the Council’s statewide work. This plan is developed with significant input from Californians and is updated annually to reflect evolving needs and resources. The next 5-year State Plan cycle is currently in development and will be in effect from 2027-2031.
https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2026/08/2027-31-State-Plan-FINAL.pdf
Quality Assessment Project (QAP)
SCDD conducts annual quality assessment surveys to identify service outcomes for people with I/DD and their families. These federal surveys track employment, civil/service rights, community inclusion, choice, health and safety outcomes and identify satisfaction rates.
https://scdd.ca.gov/qap
Rights and Advocacy Project (RAP)
This project protects the rights of people with I/DD who live in the California Department of Developmental Services’ facilities. The RAP helps people to plan for more independent lives, address care and treatment concerns, and ensure that their rights, dignity, and choices are fully considered and respected.
https://scdd.ca.gov/rap/
Self-Determination Program (SDP)
This program provides individuals with I/DD and their families with more freedom, control, and responsibility in choosing services and support. SCDD works with the Department of Developmental Services to offer statewide orientations for people interested in the Self-Determination Program. The Council also supports the Statewide Self-Determination Advisory Committee (SSDAC) and 21 local Advisory Committees.
https://scdd.ca.gov/sdp-home
Supported Decision-Making Technical Assistance Program (SDM-TAP)
In California law, Supported Decision-Making allows individuals with I/DD to choose their own team of supporters who will then have a legal right to be part of that person’s decision-making process. These may include family members, friends, and/or other community members chosen to be trusted supporters.
https://scdd.ca.gov/sdm-tap
Resources
Regional Center Services
Regional centers provide services to eligible individuals and they give codes to every type of service, called “service codes”. This resources lists and explains the services with their “service code” number. These are services the regional centers may be able to get for you.
https://scdd.ca.gov/regionalcenterservices/
Resources by Topic
There are many issues that people care about, such as education, services, health, and housing. All of this information and more is gathered in one place, which can help your constituents!
https://scdd.ca.gov/resource-home/